The US is providing $2 billion (over €2 billion) in military funding to Ukraine and eighteen other countries. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is currently in Kiev to discuss aid.

These are loans and grants that allow countries to buy American weapons. Its purpose was to enable the Allies to defend themselves against future Russian aggression. It is still unclear how much of the $2 billion will go to Ukraine and which 18 countries will receive the money.

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The package comes on top of the $675 million (€676 million) in arms aid the US Department of Defense pledged to Ukraine the day before. That aid will include howitzers, missiles and artillery shells, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin announced Thursday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Austin Ramstein has discussed with dozens of defense ministers how to help Ukraine in the long term against Russian aggression. During the consultations, among other things, how the countries can cooperate in training Ukrainian soldiers.

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Washington has already provided $10 billion in military aid to the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since Russian forces invaded the country on February 24. Other countries, including the Netherlands, have also sent arms and equipment.